A Texas woman was killed when a non-impaired driver hit her as he was performing a court-mandated “ignition interlock” test while driving. The former cheerleader was backing out of her driveway when the passenger side of her car was hit by a pickup truck. The driver stated that he did not see the woman's car because his eyes were off the road in order to perform a court-mandated ignition interlock test, which requires him to breathe for three to four seconds into a device to test for alcohol impairment or his vehicle will cease to operate. The interlock device is meant to prevent people from starting their vehicles if the driver is found to have consumed alcohol.

DUI and the Consequences in Washington

There are certainly consequences for driving while intoxicated, in Washington one of those consequences can be an interlock ignition device. However, let us first understand what constitutes a DUI in Washington. In Washington, a person is guilty of driving under the influence “of intoxicating liquor, marijuana, or any drug if the person drives a vehicle within this state:

• And the person has, within two hours after driving, an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher as shown by analysis of the person's breath or blood; or
• The person has, within two hours of driving, a THC concentration of 5.00 or higher as shown by analysis of the person's blood; or
• While the person is under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor, marijuana, or any drug; or
• While the person is under the combined influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor, marijuana, and any drug.”

If you have been sanctioned by the state of Washington and received a DUI then you may have also been sentenced to an ignition interlock license, "that will permit driving to and from to the following locations:

• Work;
• School;
• Medical care for yourself or a dependent;
• Substance abuse treatment;
• Performing court-ordered community service."

Depending on the number of offenses a person has regarding DUIs, or if the severity of the offense calls for such actions, the court can choose to impose a monitoring device upon a driver convicted of Driving Under the Influence, including an Ignition Interlock Device. If the court orders that a person abstains from the consumption of alcohol they “may order the person to submit to alcohol monitoring through an alcohol detection breathalyzer device, transdermal sensor device, or other technology designed to detect alcohol in a person's system." Of course, the convicted individual is responsible for paying the full costs attached to the installation, monitoring, and upkeep of such a device. The county or the municipality will determine such costs.

The Law Offices of Steve Karimi Can Help

If you or someone you love has been arrested for a DUI you should retain the services of an experienced DUI attorney immediately. Monitoring devices are just one small part of the penalty for a DUI in Washington and there are several ways that the Law Offices of Steve Karimi can defend your rights. Do not hesitate to seek assistance today.